Paul Lynde: The Gay Uncle at the Center of Halloween’s Strangest Disco
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- čas přidán 16. 10. 2021
- The Paul Lynde Halloween Special is one of the strangest hours of television ever broadcast, a witchy fever dream of celebrities, songs, and sensuality. By the mid-1970s, Paul was known for humor that skewed adult, a persona based around being annoyed with children, and a string of failed sitcom pilots. So of all the people you could get to host a Halloween special ... why Paul Lynde???
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My family and I had dinner with Paul in Dayton Ohio when I was 8. We were waiting at a restaurant to be seated. It was our turn when Paul and his crew came up and was seated right away. My grandfather was upset and Paul took notice. He apologized to my grandfather and invited us to have dinner with him. He was very down to earth. He was kind and funny. It was an awesome experince.
Great story very sweet
That is so awesome. What great guy!! 💓💓
👍
Cool 😎 story. Thanks 🙏 for sharing.
I’m jealous
I used to go to a bar he frequented. He always had a crowd around him and you could hear his cackling laughter throughout the place. He had an incredibly handsome Latino boyfriend and a beautiful classic Rolls Royce. I loved listening to him entertain his friends.
It makes me happy to hear that he was happy ^.^
🎉Cool Memories!🎉
Paul (Lynde) was fabulous! The fact that we're still talking about him now has made him an icon; even if it wasn't recognized then. I pray he's still throwing those one liners out to the masses.
Rest well Paul... 🦋🦋🦋
I don't understand why he's called the gay Paul Lynn.. I remember those years. The fact he was gay was an afterthought. Like Jim Nabors.
Paul Lynde was the only reason to watch Hollywood Squares, IMHO. Also, in 1976, I had just turned 11 and was absolutely batshit crazy over KISS. I remember seeing the notice in TV Guide about his Halloween special featuring KISS; as far as I knew, it was their very first TV appearance, and I literally screamed that "OMG, KISS is gonna be on TV!" So...thank you, Paul, for being an early gay icon and putting KISS on your Halloween special!
That Halloween special for many Kiss fans was like our Ed Sullivan moment.
Paul was so endearing and funny. Will always be a fan of his as well .
@@reubensane5539 yep Kiss fans Ed Sullivan moment
I still remember from the special, Paul quipping about the band's name.
I forget the lead-up but it ended with "...kiss and make up." Whereupon one of them (I think it was Peter Criss) responds, menacingly, with "We don't wear make-up." Why has that stuck with me all these years? {shrug}
Also: Mrs. Brady was so hot!
I’ve always thought that Paul was one of the funniest,most quick-witted comedians of all time. Loved him!❤❤
@@franmcdaniel3674 agreed.
To me he'll always embody America in the late-60s/early-70s, the "three-martini-lunch" era; plaid jackets with wide lapels, pointy-toed boots, Madison-Avenue haircut with sideburns, the works.
In other words; my childhood
Peter Marshall: "Paul, can anything bring tears to a chimp's eyes?"
Paul: "Learning that Tarzan swings both ways."
😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄
😂
They had writers, I believe.
@@williamjordan5554 Whether they had writers or not, only Paul could deliver that line with that much punch.
PETER: Paul, Nathan Hale. You remember Nathan Hale. He was a hero of the American Revolution. He was hung. Why?
PAUL: Heredity.
I'm glad you came around. Paul was perfect proof that you don't need heels, make-up, or great wig to be a fabulous queen.
But it doesn't hurt!! 😮 🏳️🌈
@@mrpoohbearlvr props darling, props.
@@1jotun136 😁😁
@@1jotun136 this made me smile
There were some amazing queens in the old Carry On movies (Charles Hawtrey, Frankie Howerd, and the brilliant Kenneth Williams), and most of them never dragged it up on camera.
Paul Lynde was a national treasure. I used to watch him on Bewitched and wanted him to be on every show, or have a spin off that was all about uncle arthur. He was a genius.
I absolutely loved Paul Lynde. He never failed to crack me up.
Q: Paul, why do motorcyclists wear leather?
A: Because chiffon wrinkles so easily.
One of my favorite lines from Hollywood Squares.
Mine Paul Lynde Japanese fast food:; minutes rice
@@rodneykingston6420 they say Dr bellow on I dream of jeanne was gay too; ❤ Paul Lynde brilliant comedian
@@rodneykingston6420 old Co star she said she went to his house saw his partner it on youtube;, once you die secret come out;
And gets in the way of shifting gears....obvi....
@@rodneykingston6420 I don't know about Tony Randall. I seem to remember him getting married and fathering a kid or two when he was in his 70s. He wouldn't have "had" to marry at that age. hmmm Would be interesting to know his truth even though it's not anyone's business.
Templeton the Rat is and always has been the best part of Charlotte's Web.
Further, when The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina was announced, I said that Salem or Cousin Ambrose should be played by "the reanimated ghost of Paul Lynde." I love the Cousin Ambrose we got, but it could have been great!
I have exactly one vivid memory of Charlotte's Web and that's the song he sings - a faaaaair is a verrrrrritable smorgasbord smorgasbord smorgasbord
Same! The song he has about food was always a showstopper.
"Horray for Charlotte"
@@FrenkTheJoy A duet with his TV older sister (Agnes Moorehead). I didn't know that until much later.
I've always liked Templeton the rat!
Paul Lynde was the funniest man I ever saw when I was a kid... Bewitched and Hollywood Squares. The Uncle Arthur episodes and the " Black Christmas " episode about Tabitha and her black friend bravely asserting they are sisters regardless of race are my favorite. Hollywood Squares would not be as funny without him. I was sad when he passed away.
Proud of you being accountable and being so vulnerable. It brought tears to my eyes
Agreed. It was touching and I wish more people would be brave enough to do so.
His most prominent role in my childhood was his role as the villain in The Perils of Penelope Pitstop
AAAAAAAAAhhhh- the penny drops!
I totally forgot about Penelope! 😆
Paul also voiced Mildew Wolf on the Cattanooga Cats show . He didn't get screen credits on both shows.
@@tonycanabal1659 Wow, you're right :o I never noticed that he wasn't credited
Somebody in the premiere chat asked how many Christian women probably had crushes on him, not knowing his orientation, and I grew up devoutly Mormon--I know, first-hand, MANY women who had years-long, enduring crushes on/devotion to both Liberace and Richard Simmons. My mom had a thing for Elton John, which then transferred to me.
I was the most distraught 22-year-old girl you've ever seen, sobbing on my waterbed in like 1998 realising Elton John wasn't straight/would never be interested in me. ;)
It's just as well. I was wearing Mormon underwear. It was highly unappealing.
He got SO much fan mail from women. (Including Greta Garbo!!!)
@@MattBaume Queen Recognizes Queen
Really goes to show how wrong incels and "nice guys" are when they assume that women all want big, muscular, alpha Chads. What women really want is a man they can feel safe with. It's a testament to the typical toxicity of straight males that women gravitate towards gay men whom they can be themselves around without fear of assault.
And being funny helps alot!
@@MattBaume REALLY GRETA GARBO?
I truly loved Paul Lynde! He was funny, quirky and delightfully entertaining!
Matt - thank you for this. I'd forgotten how much I LOVED Paul Lynde until you reminded me :) My mother used to watch Hollywood Squares religiously and I would usually watch it with her - the main reason was to see what Paul would say!
He's the human form of "you don't know what you have until it's gone." I wish he could see how far the community has come and how watching him growing up helped lil baby gays like me
He knows....and he says...you ain't seen nuthin yet....
I did not even know he was gay .
@@maxwattage6631 I was a teenager in the 60's and I even wondered.
No one talked about being gay in the 60's.
I always felt that had he lived longer, his influence on the acceptance of LGBTQ+ by mainstream America would have been incalculable. Most people had an inkling about him, but his brilliance at comedy caused them to overlook it. There were no whisper campaigns about Paul Lynde -- unlike with Rock Hudson and others -- people just accepted him.
He was a very serious, intelligent and thoughtful man. It would have been interesting to see him cast in a more dramatic role.
Matt, I applaud you for looking back, reassessing your work, and admitting where you might have failed. It's a quality that's sorely lacking today. Thanks for keeping it alive.
Yes! That's such a show of growth as a person.
Same! And to call it out personally vs. it being dug up or something is super cool - excellent example of accountability
Perfect comment. So much respect for Matt having righted a wrong from his past and giving us a more respectful biography of a Hollywood icon.
Agreed, in this current age of never apologizing and doubling down; such an honest, full-chested retraction, without equivocation restored some of my faith. ❤
Born in 73, I was raised by TV, and I absolutely loved game shows, especially the witty ones like Hollywood Squares. To me, people like Paul Lynde, Charles Nelson Reilly, Charo, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and the rest of the show biz personalities of the era were everything I wanted to be. They were famous, they were beloved, they were ten tons of fun, and oh so funny, and their entire job seemed to be to show up and have big, wonderful personalities. That was the life I wanted to lead. Being fabulous on a professional level.
I've been a Paul Lynde fan since first sight! Thanks for this tribute to his life.
A very powerful episode! That was amazing of you to "write" the wrong of your old article. This new episode will live on in its place!
YES!!!! Your evolution speaks to your consistent character, Matt. We can only speak about what we understand in any given moment. Admirable people, people who KEEP LEARNING, have the courage to confront and correct past misunderstandings. Good on ya.
Back in 1970, my junior college literature teacher bought a case of copies of The Boys in the Band by Matt Crowley because the college bookstore wouldn't stock it and made it the centerpiece of the course. A few years ago, I read about how the gay literature of the time was implicitly self-loathing, i.e, "Show me a happy homosexual, and I'll show you a gay corpse." Too often, my generation internalized the culture's homophobia. I recently read about a gay father on Reddit who resents his gay son because the boy has a chance for the happiness he was denied. I look back at those dark years when I was too much like Paul Lynde, but I feel only vicarious joy in seeing the current generation of gay boys. I know full well that they owe their freedom to the closet queens like Lynde, the characters in Crowley's play, and myself, who tried our best for happiness and integrity in a hostile world.
You're right. The freedoms of the current generation is part of what we all wanted. At least, that's what I always hoped for.
@@bsquared4604 Well, yes, they have "some" new freedoms, marriage equality the most valuable, and they are maybe, maybe not a bit more visible on network TV but that is most often drag queens and transsexuals....healthy gays types are not.
@@normanduke8855 Do you really think those are the primary differences between being a gay man in the 1970s and now?
"If we could just learn not to hate ourselves quite so very much." Much of the gay story is (was) our self-loathing and, as Matt ID's, projected resentment.
Thank you for your insights.
He became a legend! Always funny and gracious. Who could forget him in Bewitched. He had his own unique brand that no other could do.
Matt! I discovered your channel with your analysis of what the Golden Girls meant for queer culture, and fell in love with what you did here with this gorgeously honest, personal, and detailed perspective on what it's like for us today to feel the discomfort watching a stifled 70's genius struggle to find his place. Thank you for what you do. 💜
It's interesting to see the gap between Paul's perception of himself as a failure in show business and the rest of us who grew up in the '60s and '70s seeing him on television constantly and laughing our arses off at his infectious humor. We thought of him as a superstar, and he was definitely a household name.
I grew up watching Bewitched in syndication and adoring his Uncle Arthur character, and I remember when I was flipping channels one day and discovered he was on Hollywood Squares too -- it was like unexpectedly reuniting with an old friend. Most of his jokes on HS went over my head at the time (I was still a kid, and I was a pretty sheltered kid), but his delivery was so infectious it didn't really matter.
Amen
I guess Paul Lynde considered himself to be a flop because he was never able to progress beyond CO-STARRING... roles, with the exception of his shortish sitcom. (BTW, most of the episodes are/were? available for viewing on CZcams.)
It must have been incredibly frustrating to realize that the quality that propelled his stardom, also limited it.
Right. I think it shows the real tragedy that arises from this human drive to compare ourselves to what we think we should be rather than appreciating ourselves for what we are.
This is such a great point! He was on my tv twice a day almost every day and he was the best and funniest part of both Bewitched and Hollywood Squares.
I love Paul. I grew up appreciating his TV appearances. He made me laugh. He was my favorite Bewitched character. He was one of the greats.
I have to tell you... Paul was one of the most talented actors, ever !!!! He could aways brighten up a sad room with one of his famous one liners !!!! We miss you Paul, Uncle Arthur !!!!
God I loved bewitched growing up. Paul was just funny as hell. Between him and all the random family members popping up, it was always fun!
So happy that after your Bewitched video you are diving deeper into the interesting life of Paul Lynde
I don't understand why they didn't just make an Uncle Arthur series as a spin-off instead of a second Howie. We could see more of the witch world, and he could remain in the role of spikey outsider. The plots could be simple and full of straight men (pun intended) and women, and he could "help" fix things with zaniness. That way others could be shown having the "normal" life, but they wouldn't be the stars. He could still be as prickly and wacky as people loved him, with dips into sincerity whenever he wanted for contrast.
Great idea! It certainly would've been better than the "Tabitha" spinoff!
That would have been hilarious ...
Montgomery and Asher owned the Uncle Arthur character and all the other Bewitched characters. The reason Bewitched was canceled was due to infidelities with Montgomery and Asher. Their marriage broke up and their production company AshMont was dissolved. I'm not sure who got what in the divorce but I do know that Montgomery and Asher refused to work together again. This is why there were no more seasons of the show. Tabitha was made 4 years later and I think the characters were owned by some other company by then. I do agree an Uncle Arthur show would have had an audience 🙂👍
Paul Lynde's persona and humor can only be taken in small doses by the average American. A guest star, yes, star of the show, no. That is why his 1972 sitcom failed. An Uncle Arthur series would have failed.
Paul Lynde's greatest performance with just being Paul Lynde. When I watch Bewitched as a kid, him popping up as Uncle Arthur was always a huge treat! His laugh alone was enough to make me laugh! Rip Paul
What a beautiful job you did on honoring Mr. Paul Lynde. I grew up being entertained by him,and even my conservative parents enjoyed his performances. Matt you are a jewel as a journalist, host and commentator. Thanks so much for the hard work you put into your videos!
Matt, You are the absolute greatest for your analysis and how you put these marvelous stories together
Matt, so much love and respect for reassessing opinions formed at another stage in life - and sharing that. This is how we grow and heal, together. Thank you.
Paul Lynde on Hollywood Squares was perfection.
Always loved Paul.. didn’t matter who wrote what .. his talent and time in our lives out shown any writer
Fantastic video, Matt. Painstakingly researched, I learned quite a bit about this man who made so many laugh.
Admitting your mistake writing that article a decade ago and explaining what caused you do that takes a lot of courage and maturity.
Nothing but respect for you and your fine work.
Cheers!
Oh my gosh! I just watched this and it was bananas! I love those old variety shows and canned laughter! The 70’s was a weird and magical place! 🦄❤️
Yes ...the 70's were the BEST....i wish we could all go back to that era ! !
Weird, drug fueled and very hairy.
It sure was👍❤😊
I can dig that.
The American empire at its peak.
I gotta say, it takes a lot of guts to acknowledge when you've changed your mind and that you might've not been giving someone a fair shake. I admire that you're able to talk openly about how far you've come, even if it seems like it's kind of painful for you to look back on what you said (in part bc some of your comments were out of relating to Lynde and not liking that you did.)
Agreed. Very admirable.
Thanks for being courageous enough to talk about your own struggles Matt and for growing as a person. ❤
I loved Paul ; still do .
So witty and unique. I wish I could have met him .
Rest In Peace , dear man ♥️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♥️♥️⭐️
I was taken by a boyfriend to a dinner at Paul Lynde's house in Hollywood in the late 1960s. There were about 6 of us; Mr. Lynde sat at the head of the table. I was 17 or 18 (and, I thought, a real cutie!) and wore my hair long--to my shoulders. Mr. Lynde was plastered and decided to make me and my hair the target of his vicious wit--he kept referring to me as a "lost pilgrim." Everyone laughed along, but as the evening wore on, people became increasingly uncomfortable. Finally, his partner (minder) said my boyfriend had to take me home because there was no way to get Mr. Lynde to let go of me as a target and that I was too young to hold my own against the onslaught. But before I could get my coat, Mr. Lynde, in a screaming rage, threw me out. Thus ended my first encounter with a celebrity. Notwithstanding the tirade, I was walking on air!
what a great story! and what a character he was, to say the least haha thanks for sharing, i love “hearing” those
Amazing! I can well imagine this scene.
Being yelled at by Lynde sounds like a dream honestly lol
wow! great story!
While certainly his actions were fueled by the addiction, I wonder if the anger stemmed from attention that you were getting.
Paul was hilarious! His rendition of “Kids” in Bye Bye Birdie is a classic!
🤣👍
I have lived between times when it was too scary to come out and when it became as fabulous as a cotillion. I understand his fear. But he is for sure a pioneer. And though I don't know you, I'm proud of you for the maturity you have gained! This was most enjoyable, ty for the content 💚
Ran across this video and applaud your enhanced view on Paul. People have to recognize the fact that one’s views change as one ages. People live through different stages as they get older and no one is exempt from this. It is based on ones own experiences and hopefully it’s for the better. I can see how your perception of Paul is not the same as now.
I grew up watching Paul on Hollywood Squares, Bewitched reruns and any other appearances. I adored his antics. As a child, I never knew what being gay etc was but I knew he made us laugh. He lived a tough life, no one knew his personal struggles yet he still continued onward to prove he’s a somebody and did it through laughter. He deserves to be remembered as the great comedian that he was ❤️ May he Rest In Peace
The 1970s were the most open and fun times in "recent" memory. It was loose. All the shows were campy, weird and silly but also progressive.
I agree....we're much worse off today....I feel bad for the kids....we had a ball!
It's weird how backwards we are still forty-odd years later.
Oh yeah, the way LGBT people couldn’t get married or visit each other in the hospital or adopt kids or be treated as anything but a joke at best was a BLAST!
@@bondfool One step forward, two steps back.
@@bondfool but the reason you can now do all those things is BECAUSE of all the activists in the 70s and 80s! That was what I meant when I said those times were "progressive". Alos, the general population wanted those changes to be made, too. The time had come and you can thank all those people and culture from
the 70s who felt that way.
How could you not just love Paul Lynde? I’ve always loved him. Everything I saw him in made it better to me.
❤ Paul Lynde brilliant comedian
Mr. Baume, thank you for this look into Paul Lynde’s experience & humanity, as well as your own. You have a succinct style of writing that is refreshing and accessible. The reveal at the end of this video of your own fears was especially healing for me to witness. Many people who feel less than those around them have been where you found yourself. Thank you for sharing that part of your journey with us.
Even for a meat and potatoes, southern, MMA and Boxing fan straight man, this channel, which is definitely a gaycentric (if that's a word,) channel, is starting to become one of my favorite channels. Matt is really good at this. I may not bat for the team but I guess I can say I am a cheerleader for it 😆
Seriously though, there's something special about the channel in a multitude of ways. Love it👍
I’m a very new subscriber and feel the exact same way! You are awesome! Thank you for your insight and appreciation for good entertainment/ education!
Paul Lynde was a tremendously talented man. I wish he could have found peace and happiness.
Excellent as always! This is how you hold yourself accountable when you realize you were wrong. Matt, you are so damn good at this! Always thoughtful, well researched, funny, touching. You deserve all the success and admiration Paul dreamed of.
Came here to say just this. Thank you, Matt, for the acknowledgement of your prior fault, and for the honesty in showing and telling it all.
9 ,kll)]p
Love Love Paul Lynde!🥰
His comedic delivery was perfect.
Thanks for sharing this. Paul Lynde was an icon and while he could never see that, my Husband and I both always did--well before we realized we were gay. We were just reminiscing about he and Charles Nelson Reilly bantering on game shows when we were kids. Those men had so much courage, far more than they ever seemed to realize--and knowing how much Paul went through in his life makes him so much more endearing.
The bravery of Paul Lynde to build the life he dreamt of, in ways he never imagined, will always be one of my inspirations. In closing, I'm glad you came to see him in a new and more nuanced, humane light.
So many of your videos make me wish I could go back in time and give people like Paul a hug and tell them how much better it would get. I love the details you find and the way you craft your stories.
It breaks my heart to see anyone who was shunned or treated badly based completely on something that has nothing to do with your personality-or your actions (other than who you fall in love).
I have a lot of love for a person who can change, grow and re-evaluate past stances.
The strength to be wrong is rare and precious.
Thanks Matt.
Thanks Matt. I have adored Paul my entire life. I was nearly the perfect age for Bewitched the first time around (grew into it by the 2nd or 3rd season). You really do something rare in this piece. You not only feature someone important to gay cultural history, you show how you've grown over the past 10 years professionally and personally and how that intersects with your work. Great video!
I’m giving you a thumbs up because you honestly learn something about yourself which is great and that you manage to put it on your channel which is impressive❤ I wouldn’t worry about your first reaction to Paul Lynde I’m pretty sure if he was here met you have a one liner for you😂
I watch these specials whenever I'm lucky enough to find them. Paul was an American treasure, and part of my extended TV family. ❤️
Rest in peace, Center Square!
It's hard to believe he has been gone this long. I remember being
stunned when I heard the news.
This is one of the greatest moments of my childhood. KISS blew my mind.
I can’t say we’ve all been there, Matt, but I certainly have. Nobody’s perfect, and it takes time to learn to accept ourselves in a world that largely does not. That can almost go double for the part of ourselves we see reflected in others. Thank you for this cool video about Paul! I didn’t know a lot about him and I’m glad I know more now.
Another one of my childhood favs! Paul Lynda was so zany I couldn’t get enough of him on Hollywood Squares! Thanks for another awesome biography!
I loved Paul as a kid watching Bewitched returns and Hollywood Squares, he was the only reason to watch it, until Whoopie Goldberg took up his mantle. He was a genius, and an open secret which was cool because he was so beloved by America! Thank you for doing him justice.
I don't watch the View or anything, but I know Whoopie had some wrong opinions, or a lack of understanding about Jewish people. As I understand it, she was perfectly fine being educated, and has apologised. She's an adult with the capacity to learn. Kanye on the other hand....
I loved Paul Lynde when I was little! Uncle Arthur and Templeton the rat were my favorites.
Thanks for this kind and real video. Your videos mean so much to me. The world has come so far. I love your honesty and apology too.
Thank you for doing this. I’ve always known how much I appreciated his performances( gay kid watching Bewitched) but never knew his story. I can only think that he would greatly appreciated this.
Matt Baume redemption arc.
Thanks for making this
It's interesting to hear commentary on entertainment I'm old enough to have watched when it was new. While Paul never played a gay character, we all knew he was gay. Everyone did.
Yes. I was 16 in '76 and even I knew.
A lot of people just thought he was a funny eccentric man.
@@ThreadBomb
Thank you. When I was growing up in the 50s-60s I had almost no idea what was involved in sex and living in rural Pennsylvania for most of my life I never ran across non-white persons so I never developed the idea of categorizing people by skin color, either. My life was young or old, men or women. Sure, in my small town of approximately 5,000 people there were 2 or 3 folks that were the targets of whispers, but I never did hear what was being said.
However, even before thinking that Paul Lynde MIGHT be gay (not yet knowing what that involved), I did notice a bit of a similarity in Paul's delivery of some of his lines (usually when he was trying to convey frustration) and the tone of voice and mannerisms used by a few of my Mom's female friends.
I am surprised by the actors that I " discover " to be gay, but to me that comes far down the list of words that I would use to describe them.
" MONSTER " is another, incredibly bad word to use.
He may have been in the closet, but the door was wide open.
Many of those of us who were children in the 70s did not know. I didn't even know that Liberace was gay. I didn't know what "gay" was until I was a teenager in the 80s. Regardless, I loved watching Paul in Bewitched and Hollywood Squares, and, of course, as Templeton in Charlottes Web.
I found this touching tribute very moving. When I was an autistic child, (Before I learned how to "Mask" my syndromes) one thing that I could do was become a pretty good "Mimic" of various actors vocal patterns. And I found that I could do a pretty good impersonation of Paul Lynde that would make kids around me laugh. I just LOVED the way he talked ! And in an unintentional way, he helped rescue me from my situation as an undiagnosed Autistic spectrum child. So I always loved seeing him in different roles in movies or TV shows. And your self reflections on your own growth and appreciation are inspiring as well! Thank you for this posting! Sincerely!
Nice work! "There was nobody else as good as he was at what he did." Truer words were never spoken! I have such fond memories of watching Mr. Lynde on Bewitched in syndication as a child, once on the Munsters and seeing my grandmother hysterically laugh at his one-liners on Hollywood Squares. Also, proudly being a member of the KISS ARMY, I can attest he's etched in KISS lore; it wasn't the band's first time on television, but certainly one of their most famous and enamored appearances.
Thanks for featuring a clip from his Tonight Show interview. A definite must watch for any fan wanting to see the many layers of who Paul Lynde was as he's quite candid and almost vulnerable when Carson talks to him.
I hope you’ve forgiven yourself and that you don’t feel that way any more. We all say or do things we regret, and I think that, when all is said and done, being able to publicly say you were wrong says more about you than anything else.
Paul Lynde is one of the most iconic voices to ever come out of Hollywood! He still lives on through the many impressions done of him - the most well-known being Seth MacFarlane's Roger from American Dad. I'm partial towad Ted Lewis' impression of him in 'Kirby Right Back Ya!' American dub. Escargoon already feels like a Lynde character with his sassy remarks and playful annoyance towards children; the fit was perfect.
I love Paul. My favorite shows when I was a kid was Hollywood Squares and Bewitched because of him. He was as true to himself as he could be without officially coming out. I think that's why so many people love him.
I can imagine why he didn't do a formal "coming out." Even as a child I knew he was gay and I loved him. It was the homophobes were still in charge and doing all the shunning. So for Paul, he knew we all knew and it was a snarky malicious compliance on his part to play straight characters. It was a seditious role for him and, after all, so many gay men were in empty marriages anyway. Children and all. Still going out with the boys every weekend. Why should he stand up as cannon fodder for the movement when it was no revelation anyway? He was pretty tired by the time it was possible to consider it, but even in 1982 it was still social death and delivered one from b list to c list. Society was going into an extreme rightist direction. Design was even going square, and with the new STD felling the queer community like a forest fire, even when he died it was not "safe" to come out. Teens and young adults used "that's gay" to cancel anything they chose.
I am quite old and also gay....I think anti-gay hostility is worse now than in the 50's.....Reagan turned the Country right when we had been quite laissez-faire about drugs,, lifestyles, etc.....but most of all, AIDS branded us as diseased monsters....the President didn't even mention AIDS till he was about 7 yrs into his administration, so, you see what we were up against......BTW, no significant comings out now either on the order of let's say the late JFK Jr.
@@normanduke8855 I don't agree that it's worse, homophobia like racism, and misogyny are just out in the open now. People who hate people that are different or refused to be controlled and used have always been there and have always spread their sick agenda to young people. Fortunately the young people now a days push back and are intolerant of cruel ignorance.
@@studiohq It is clear to me that if these things are more overt now the actors feel empowered....mostly due to right wing media. I wonder if you have the span of years and experience that I do....I'm 72.
Re: ”That's so gay.”
When I was stationed at Fort Wainwright, Fairbanks, Alaska, after playing Magic the Gathering at the comic shop that day, some Army buddies and I had been invited over to a college professor's house to keep playing.
The Army brat that hung around with us had said, ”That's so gay,” about some broken card combination, everything got quiet (record skip moment), and the professor politely reminded him that we were over on the liberal, college, west side of town, not the conservative, military, east side of town, and that wasn't used as an insult here.
I think he got the point across nicely because I don't remember the kid using that insult again even on the east side of town.
Just look how everyone turned on Ellen. Fame is fickle.
He was certainly a unique character. I used to love him on Bewitched and he definitely could make you laugh with those clever one liners. It was also quite decent of you to look back on your article and reevaluate your motivations and feelings at the time. Admitting your bias is honourable.
Thanks for sharing.
just followed your Instagram!! I've been a fan of this Halloween special for years. but your behind-the-scenes on Paul IS BRILLIANT!!
Loved Templeton the rat so very very much. That movie was one of my favorites as a kid, and now that it's out on video I love to introduce kids in my life to it.
It’s fun to watch everyone on Match Game do their Paul Lynde impression. Charles Nelson Reilly’s is, to no one’s surprise, the best.
Charles was Dick Van Dyke's understudy on Bye Bye Birdie and went on for him. Imagine being in that audience that night and watching them become successful over the years on rival game shows. Too bad there's no pictures of them together!
Paul was brilliant. I love him. He's a national treasure.
At first, I thought this an interesting, competently made video about a person I never knew much about... But beginning with your remarks about projection, it entered a whole new category. I'm very moved and impressed by your (searing) honesty and your openness. I've tremendous respect for that. Thank you and keep up the great work.
I absolutely love the way you narrate a story. You always hold my interest, and that's a big deal! ❤
I had no idea about Dick Van Dyke's ties to Paul and WOW is it amazing that he's still alive.
he's well into his 90's and still looks good.
@@voozoo1606 yep and still dancing a bit too....at 95!
I understood when I was 5 or 6 growing up in the 60's that Paul Lynde was gay. I felt a connection to him. I certainly didn't know what the word gay was. No one ever spoke about it in the 60's, but I knew that he wasn't like my dad's friends. I don't know how I made the connection, but i did. Also, about the same time I just assumed Dr. Quest and Race Bannon were a couple.
That's awesome. I too believed that Dr. Quest and Race Bannon were a couple.
Decided to check this out because of the vid. Thanks for the content!
Can I just say I fricken love these videos? Thank you, Matt, for all of the time and effort you put into researching and presenting these.
The Church of the Algorithm gives this video its blessing, and must it stay clear of the blasphemers from The First Algorithmic Temple (and the many people impersonating their members).
Beware the blasphemers of the godless Al Gore rhythm nation
Sedgwick Hawk-Styles: Prince of Danger. Wow. What a title.
Boy do I miss him and his humor. Thank you for this.
I had crushes on several gay men as a preteen, including Freddie Mercury, Elton John...and Paul Lynde. I even did impressions of him, his entire vibe made me feel so happy during a rough family time. I have always loved him. Thank you for this excellent analysis.
That Halloween Special is such an integral part of my childhood. It's just... He's also such an integral part of how I look at humor. I didn't know it was you who wrote the Monster article, but all is forgiven.
If you'll excuse me, I'm going to go make a pizza.
I CANNOT LET THAT 'SHOES' JUMPSCARE AT 22:10 SLIDE, I CANNOT 😂😂😂
Nicely done! Very informative and, ultimately, empathetic portrait of a man. I was especially impressed by the turn it took, showing the change in you through your views of another then and now. Thanks for the good work… and consider yourself a success, ‘cause you done good!
I *LOVED* Paul Lynde on the shows in the 70s!!! Though I was really young, my grandparents let me stay up to watch all the music shows with them. Sonny and Cher, Donny and Marie, all the specials. Paul Lynde always made me laugh harder than anyone. My grandpa, who was very open and accepting of all people, once said "Men like that (Lynde) can be your best friends." I found out what he meant when I got my first openly gay male friend in junior high. We are still besties today
Matt, that was so vulnerable and authentic of you! This was one of your best videos!!! As a kid, he was always my favorite part of Bewitched. I’m certain he’d consider this ample penance! You are absolved… 😁
Loved this video, as someone who recently discovered the treasure that is Paul, this was so fun! Also thank you for including that story about the piece you wrote and how you regret it. As someone who recently feeling a lot of regret for mistakes made from repressed feelings, it kind of helped. I know it wasn’t a huge thing but it helped remind me that all we can do sometimes is put positivity in the world, and that’s enough. Love your videos, please keep doing what you’re doing!!
Paul was a spectacular entertainer and I enjoyed this exposé about his life and career. I’m 50 years old, born in 1971, and I fondly remember him being on television throughout my youth. Thank you for the work you put into this video.
it takes a lot of self reflection and understanding to recognize you made a mistake in judging someone and it takes courage to admit that in a video. paul lynde is an icon and i thank you for paying him the recognition and reverence he deserves
Paul Lynde would have made a fantastic Doctor if America made its own Dr. Who
this is such a weirdly accurate comment 😯
Oh hell yes. Please someone write fanfic to this effect.
With a laugh like his I'd have loved to have seen him as the Joker instead of Nicholson, Comedian or not I think he would have nailed the grim turns required off the back of Burton, Hamm and Skaaren's gags. (If he'd avoided the heart attack that is.)
OMG YES! This is my favorite campy Halloween special, I saw it when it first aired and still try to make my friends watch it.
I adore your channel, thank you!
I also adore Paul Lynde and your shirt.
I was 9 years old when the Halloween special came on. I remember it well. As a young child, I loved it ❤️!